17 Best Art Gifts for Kids Who Love to Draw & Create

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The best art gifts for kids are the ones that disappear into bedrooms and come back covered in paint, marker, glue, or whatever they’ve been experimenting with.

We’ve had plenty of art kits that looked exciting but were finished once and forgotten. The ideas here are different. They include drawing supplies, painting sets, creative projects, and a few unusual finds that have genuinely earned their place in our house.

If you’re buying for a child who would rather make something than simply unwrap another toy, these are the gifts I’d start with.

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Best Art Gifts for Kids

A good art gift gives kids enough direction to get started without deciding exactly what the finished project should look like.

I’ve included a mix of drawing and painting supplies, craft kits, hands-on projects, and creative gifts for different ages. Some are ideal for kids who already spend hours making art, while others are an easy way to encourage a child who’s just starting to get creative.

Most importantly, these are things kids can enjoy beyond the excitement of opening the box.

Drawing Gifts for Kids

Drawing Markers Brush Pens

These dual-tipped markers get constant use in our house. The fine tip is perfect for our free printable coloring pages and the brush side works beautifully for hand lettering. They come in a sturdy case, so they actually stay organized, rare in an art bin!

Crayola Light Up Tracing Pad

We used this a lot when my son was younger, especially when he wanted to draw favorite characters but wasn’t confident starting from scratch. The illuminated surface makes lines easy to trace, and kids can gradually move from copying pictures to adding their own details. It’s a particularly good gift for kids who love to draw.

Scratch Paper Art

Scratch art was always one of my favorite things to throw in a bag for trips and waiting rooms because there are no pens, paints, or loose supplies to deal with. Kids simply scratch through the black coating to reveal the rainbow colors underneath. It’s inexpensive, portable, and surprisingly absorbing.

3Doodler Start+ Essentials 3D Pen Set

This is such a fun step up for kids who love drawing but want to create something they can actually pick up and hold. Instead of drawing on paper, the 3Doodler lets them build models, decorations, and their own designs in 3D. I especially like this for older kids who have started to outgrow traditional craft kits but still love making things.

Watercolor Paint Set

This is the watercolor set my son reaches for most. There’s a huge range of colors to experiment with, while the refillable water brush makes painting much less messy than juggling brushes and cups of water. We’ve taken ours on trips and to grandparents’ houses, so it’s a great choice for kids who like creating wherever they are.

Marbling Paint Art Kit

This one’s messy but totally worth it. The marbling effect is beautiful, and watching the colors move on the water still amazes my son. It’s best for a kitchen-table or outdoor project, quick setup, big results, and every piece turns out different.

Rock Painting Kit

We’ve painted rocks for everything from garden decorations to little “kindness rocks” we hide at the park. The kit includes bright paints and brushes that hold up well. It’s one of those crafts that gets kids outdoors afterward, double win.

Create Your Own Window Art

This is a nice change from another painting set because the finished artwork actually becomes part of the room. Kids create colorful designs that can be displayed on windows, making the project feel more permanent than something that immediately disappears into a drawer. It’s especially good for kids who enjoy crafts they can show off afterward.

Art Kits and Creative Projects

Illustory Book Making Kit

My son used this to turn one of his made-up stories into a real hardcover book, and it’s still on our shelf years later. The kit walks kids through every step, from drawing pages to adding text, and the printed result looks genuinely professional.

3D String Art Kit

This takes more patience than some of the quicker art kits, which makes it a better choice for kids who enjoy working on a project rather than finishing something in ten minutes. My son needed a little help with the glue, but popping the balloon and seeing the finished lantern hold its shape was the best part. They end up with something they can actually display in their bedroom.

Magnetic Mini Tile Art

These little tiles are a manageable project for kids who can find a huge blank canvas intimidating. They can paint each one completely differently, then turn their finished designs into magnets for the fridge or give them away as handmade gifts. We’ve used ours for holiday presents, which made the finished artwork feel much more special.

Skillmatics Dot it!

This is a good choice for younger kids who want to make something colorful without needing strong drawing skills yet. The dot-by-dot format gives them enough guidance to get started while still letting them choose colors and make each picture their own. It’s also much easier to set up than paints when you want a quick creative activity.

Art Supplies and Gifts for Creative Kids

KiwiCo Doodle Crate

We tried this when my son was about nine, and it quickly became his favorite mail day of the month. Each box focuses on a new technique, one month watercolor, another paper sculpture, and it always feels fresh. It’s creative without being overwhelming, which is why we’ve kept the subscription going.

Check out our honest KiwiCo Studio review

Play-Doh Air Dry Clay Case

Play-Doh is an obvious choice for younger artists, but this sculpting set gives them much more to work with than a few tubs of dough. Kids can shape, sculpt, add details, and experiment with their own creations rather than following one finished project. It’s a great art gift for kids who prefer making things with their hands to drawing or painting.

Art: The Definitive Visual Guide

We’ve used this book in our homeschool art lessons for years. It’s beautifully illustrated and easy to browse, even for younger kids who just like flipping through the pictures. It’s one of those books that grows with them, great for sparking deeper conversations about artists and styles.

Arts & Crafts Supply Library

If you’re buying for a child who never makes the same thing twice, I’d choose a big craft supply box over a single-project kit. Kids can combine the different materials however they want, so it encourages much more open-ended creativity. Ours has lasted far longer than most boxed craft projects, and the divided storage helps keep all those tiny supplies under control.

Crayola Finger Paint Kit For Toddlers

We used this when my son was just starting to paint, and it was one of those rare toddler activities that kept him happily busy. The paints wash out easily (even from clothes), and the thick texture is ideal for handprint and fingerprint art. It’s messy in the best possible way.

Grab all of our kids handprint art for extra fun!

The best art gifts for kids are the ones they’ll keep coming back to long after the wrapping is gone. Whether they love drawing, painting, sculpting, or trying completely new projects, giving them something that encourages them to create is always a win.

Last Updated on 22 September 2026 by Clare Brown

Best Art Gifts for Kids

Best Art Gifts for Kids

Drawing Gifts for Kids

Painting Gifts for Kids

Art Kits and Creative Projects

Art Supplies and Gifts for Creative Kids

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Hi! I’m Clare!